Chapter 32: Taking a Gamble

Sword Dynasty

Volume 2

Chapter 32: Taking a Gamble

Slowly, the red sun rose.

In an official residence that did not have much furnishings, which could be described as unpresentable, a middle-aged official with a beautiful beard, wearing a blue official robe, was looking at the fiery red sun.

A few moments later, he finally made a decision. He spoke to his advisor who was waiting beside him. “Send my box of Whale Jade Gel to the young man from the Falling Parasol Wine Shop.”

Like all advisors who made a living in Changling, even though this skinny advisor looked like he could be knocked over by a gust of wind, his demeanor remained calm and his eyes shone with the light of intelligence.

Hearing his words now, this advisor was extremely shocked. He could not hold his composure. He said, “Sir Sikong, isn't that too precious?”

The bearded middle-aged man smiled sarcastically and said, “I clearly understand what you’re thinking… This young man from the wine shop in Falling Parasol is indeed progressing very rapidly in cultivation, but each realm is different. Some people might advance very quickly in the earlier realms, but become mediocre once they reach realm four or realm five. Since His Majesty ascended the throne, the most famous example is Guo Shang of Changshan Commandery. For the first four realms, his cultivation speed was almost on par with the best cultivators in history. But after he reached realm four, he stopped progressing. He lost confidence, and now he’s become very discouraged and has fallen ill. It’s too early to judge someone based on the first three realms.”

“I understand the reasoning. Those nobles and important figures with much higher status than me naturally understand it very clearly. So, even though they know his name like I do, they only know about him. They won't pay much attention to him or show him any goodwill because he's not qualified unless he also achieves this level of achievement in realm four and realm five. For those nobles and important figures, only cultivators above realm six are worthy of their attention and effort.”

After a pause, the bearded middle-aged official looked at the confused advisor and said, “Right now, only those nobles and important figures who don't have a high enough status will show him any goodwill. This is because the young man isn't yet qualified. So, even if they want to show goodwill, they won't send him anything too valuable. But I'm willing to take a gamble.”

The bearded middle-aged official looked at the advisor who had stopped frowning and said seriously, “Although the Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Ceremonies manages the imperial temple and ceremonies, and is the head of all the bureaus, in reality, this bureau has the least power. At most, we can only speak with His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress. I, Sikong Lian, have attained the position of chief of this bureau, yet the resources I can utilize are not even comparable to those of a commander of the Warden’s Office.”

“Because I feel there is no good path ahead of me, and my hopes of revenge seem increasingly hopeless—I want to take a gamble.” The bearded middle-aged man’s eyes flashed with a complicated expression. “Actually, I'm not the type to sink into despair. Because I'm different from others, I've met Xue Wangxu several times. I know that he's the type who can endure anything. There are many people in Changling who can endure, but not many who have reached realm seven and can still endure so much. Because someone who can endure so much like him would do many things that go against their personality for this young man. This young man is truly worth for me to take a gamble. At least, in terms of cultivation and talent, Xue Wangxu sees things more clearly than I do. When giving gifts, if I give, I will send the most important ones. The young man started late and has a weak physique. He lacks spiritual medicines from abroad like the Whale Jade Gel. I've thoroughly investigated his performance at the sword trial festival. I believe this boy is someone who knows how to repay favors.”

Hearing the sincere words from the person he was following, the thin advisor was impressed. He knew the bearded middle-aged man must have done his research before making his decision. However, this skinny advisor couldn't hold back a sigh when he thought of revenge and saw the wrinkles at the corners of other people's eyes.

 

The atmosphere at Falling Parasol suddenly became lively.

This bustle was not the usual New Year's bustle, but rather the appearance of numerous luxurious carriages.

Over the years, women's hair ornaments, rouge and powder, paperweights, incense burners, and jade play objects had become symbols of status and standing.

In previous decades, the style of carriages, which originally lacked cabins and only had canopies, gradually evolved into carriages with enclosed cabins, preventing people from seeing what was happening inside. Carriages transformed from a relatively stable and comfortable means of transportation for the nobility and important figures in Changling into one of the most important items used in their daily lives, such as for secret meetings and other purposes.

Over time, the construction of the cabins in carriages gradually became more beautiful and luxurious. Just by looking at the materials used and the decoration, one could roughly determine the status of the owner in Changling.

The best carriage drivers could even tell which family a carriage belonged to.

A very heavy carriage, clearly covered with metal panels in its cabin, making it impenetrable by arrows, was driving through the alley entrance. The carriage driver, sitting upright like a spear in front, sharpened his gaze and frowned.

An ordinary-looking carriage, with a cabin made of ordinary sandalwood, was also entering Falling Parasol Alley from the other end.

“What is that?”

When the passenger in the cabin behind the driver felt the carriage stop, this soft question rang out from within.

“That is the carriage of Fang Yong from the Fang Marquessate Establishment,” the carriage driver answered softly.

The nobles in the cabin behind him fell silent and waited patiently.

Fang Yong was the son of a concubine, but his military achievements were brilliant. He was the third most important figure in the Fang Marquessate Establishment after Fang Xiang and Fang Xiumu. Such a person naturally possessed a status far superior to his own.

At this moment, the carriage driver was once again stunned.

He saw a very square carriage. The carriage also did not have any fancy decorations. However, every part of the carriage was very orthodox and seemed to conform perfectly to standard specifications and did not contain any personal preferences.

“The Deputy Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Ceremonies… even Official Sikong Lian has sent someone.” This carriage driver confirmed he had not seen it wrong and turned toward the cabin to report in disbelief.

 

Carriages came and went in front of the small courtyard Xue Wangxu had rented. As soon as one carriage left, another would stop at the gate.

Seeing the gifts filling almost half the storage room, Xue Wangxu could not help but smile under his sable fur hat.

Wasn’t this a kind of glory?

“Youngest… Youngest Sect Brother…”

At that moment, Zhang Yi, who was recording the gifts for the possibility of sending another gift in return in the future, suddenly stuttered again in surprise.

Xue Wangxu slapped the copper hot water bag he was using to warm his hands and shouted. “What is it?”

“Official Fang Yong of the Fang Marquessate Establishment has sent a Golden Thread Robe.” Zhang Yi said quietly, seemingly embarrassed by his surprised reaction. He sheepishly walked out of the storage room.

Xue Wangxu was immediately taken aback.

The Golden Thread Robe was certainly not made of ordinary gold thread. If so, it would be worthless to cultivators. Golden Thread Robes in the cultivation world were woven from the inner fibers of a rare flower called the Golden Thread Flower. This Golden Thread Flower was beneficial for Vital Energy Realm cultivators, allowing them to condense their energies. So when cultivator overexerting their vital energy and absorbing the primal energies of the universe to replenish themselves, they could recover their vital energy more quickly.

This was indeed an extraordinary gift, and because the Golden Thread Flower was rare, it was an extraordinary gift beyond price.

“Even if it's just a Golden Thread Robe, don't make such a fuss.” Xue Wangxu reprimanded the slightly embarrassed Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi lowered his head in even greater shame and explained softly. “I know… But Official Sikong of the Bureau of Ceremonies sent a more precious gift, an even more magnificent gift. He sent a box of Whale Jade Gel, enough to last until next spring.”

Xue Wangxu was truly shocked this time.

Official Sikong of the Bureau of Ceremonies could only be the Deputy Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Ceremonies, Sikong Lian.

Although Ding Ning had performed well, Xue Wangxu clearly understood that a novice like Ding Ning, a young man, was not yet qualified in the eyes of true nobility. The people from the Fang Marquessate Establishment had come only because Ding Ning had connections with the Fang Marquessate Establishment previously. Prince Li Ling was known as the most meticulous person who was always directly involved in taking care of everything. He had acted as he had only because of the rejection and humiliation he had suffered at Ding Ning's hands.

If an influential official like Sikong Lian were to show concern for Ding Ning and send him a small gift, he would already be in disbelief, let alone sending him a box of Whale Jade Gel…

The Whale Jade Gel was one of the most beneficial medicinal items for cultivators discovered by the Qin Dynasty in the last century while searching for medicines from abroad.

This gel was made from a type of gel-like seaweed called Whale Jade Seaweed, which was found at the bottom of the deep sea. Large numbers of black serpents near this seaweed. For many cultivators, dealing with a serpent in ordinary shallow water was not especially dangerous. However, no one knew the lives that had to be sacrificed to face the swarms of serpents in the deep sea to collect this seaweed.

Therefore, Whale Jade Gel was extremely precious and rare, and even these marquessate establishments rarely obtained it.

Furthermore, this medicinal gel was extremely beneficial. When applied to the entire body after bathing, its medicinal properties would penetrate the skin and bones, strongly stimulating vital energy to transform the blood and marrow. This would strengthen the tendons and bones, and improve one's health. At the same time, this gel would enhance one's physical strength and save cultivators a lot of time in their cultivation.

So, this kind of medicine was called Foundation Building Gel during the dynasty because it strengthened a cultivator's foundation. It was enough to last until the next spring, which naturally meant that what was sent was not a small box, but a large one.

This was truly an extraordinary gift. No wonder Zhang Yi could not remain calm.

“Even such a valuable gift was given.” Xue Wangxu coughed lightly repeatedly and then said emotionally, “Sikong Lian, what troubles do you have… In a place like Changling, even someone like you has so many troubles and is so powerless to resolve them that you have to act like this?”

Ordinary people have their own troubles and grudges, and those in high positions also have their own troubles and grudges.

Xue Wangxu lamented not because he had just understood this principle, but because he thought that if this was true even after one had ascended to a high place, what meaning would there be in climbing even higher?

But not everyone would think so.

Most people probably only reflect on their entire lives when they reach their end. That's when they will reflect on whether they have acted correctly and meaningfully. Maybe they will realize what they have been missing, and what they want most.

 

In a beautiful and elegant study, Prince Li Ling stared at the documents before him. The white hair on his temples grew even more.

The sound of footsteps interrupted his deep thoughts and the surrounding silence. The pungent smell of horse dung suddenly invaded the aromatic incense-filled study.

Prince Li Ling suddenly frowned. His usually amiable face revealed a rarely seen sharp murderous intent.

He raised his head and looked at the person who had appeared before him. He said in a slightly cold voice, “The greatest impoliteness is to come without an invitation. Furthermore, you are a member of my household, and ignoring the rules of this household is not simply impolite.”

Su Qin, dressed in plain robes that smelled of horse dung, bowed and said, “I am indeed impolite, but I can resolve your matter.”

 

Notes:

This novel is not my work... I just translated it from a Chinese web novel written by Wu Zui

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